Clintons Prepare for Long-Distance Relationship

President Clinton said Wednesday he is prepared to get along without a first lady every now and then, as Hillary Rodham Clinton runs for the U.S. Senate.

“We’ll have to make accommodations,” he said.

Clinton said he advised his wife to declare her intention to run for a New York Senate seat now, rather than early next year as she had hoped, to quell any concerns voters might have about her seriousness.

“I always think if there’s any doubt and you can resolve it, you ought to do it,” he said.

After taking part in a century-old Thanksgiving tradition--pardoning a turkey before an audience of children--Clinton strolled over to reporters in the White House Rose Garden and spent several minutes discussing his wife’s political plans.

“I want her to do this if she wants to do it. And she does,” Clinton said. “A lot of people in New York want her to do it.”

Mrs. Clinton said Tuesday she will scale back her duties as first lady to hit the campaign trail. She said she will live in their new home in Westchester County and is expected to name a campaign manager as early as next week.

The president said that, although he will help his wife’s campaign in any way he can, for now he will stay on the sidelines.